Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-18

indicted for deliberately attempting to
| murder gentleman, near the city of Aguas
Calientss, in 1867. At that time he was a
| heredero (the man who runs before 8 tray-
eler on horseback, and he was employed
by politician 10 remove rival from his
path, receiving four dollars in advance, for
the service. This WAS at the time of Maxi
mlhan's overthrow, and the troubled state
of the country saved him from punish
ment, although there was no doubt of his
guilt. His subsequent services TO the Lib
eral party as a partisan free booter not only
purified him from this crime, but Sc
cured him pension of Sl,S00 per annum
and the rank of Brigadier- General.
Another case among hundreds that
might be mentioned, is that of a former
Project of Police in the city of Morelia.
This official, whose valor is unquestioned,
had long been feared throughout the State
OF Michoacan as the desperate leader of a
gang of robbers and cutthroats, who levied
their demands upon travellers and rich ha-
ciendas-and enforced them, too-with
impunity. Many wild tales are told of his
Robin Hood exploits, of gold confscated
and men conscripted to his service, of
maidens carried screaming to his mountain
haunts, and innumerable murders among
those who resisted.
AT last the willy Government hit upon a
plan of winning over to its service this
worthy, whom force of arms had failed TO
subdue-viz.: by offering him a higher
premium than tie wages of his wicked
ness. Appealing to his own interest, he
was made commander of the Rurales, a
sort of district militia, with a fine salary
and almost unlimited local power The
people must have trembled at first when
pv aar1f ,al h,t -
complete success. On the old principle,
that ''it takes rogue TO catch a rogue, no
portion of the country is now more free
from robbers than that under his control
Nothing shows more plainly the general
feeling i'll Mexico Of
INSECURITY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY
Than the fact that everybody who can az
lord it-even the merest boys and most
women-carry immense selfeocking re-
vo.vers continually about them, viii e
those unable TO purchase these implements
OF death content themselves with anv sort
OF swords, stilettoes or daggers, and the
poorest peon has his well sharpened knife
or machete.
In many portions of Mexico crimes
which in any other civilized country would
arouse popular Indignation to the utmost
are daily perpetrated without attracting the
slightest notice of the authorities. In some
states robbery Is rampant among all classes,
from the peasant who thrusts his hand into
your pocket in the market-piace, I'D TO the
highest local officials, whose pecnIations
amount TO thousands per annum. What
wonder that common thieves increase and
multiply, when tho,e of superior caste
occupy the highest local positions? What
wonder that secret clans of stout fellows
abound-industriou lads of high spirit
who prefer the knife and pistol to any
other implements, mechanical or agricult
ural, for gaining a livelihood? What
wonder the country is infested with band
lis, when it is a well known fact that in
many quarters both the police and the
military (many of them ex-highwavmen
themseives) are in direct conniyance with
these knights of the road, so that no at
tempts are made to bring them to Justice?
These
GENTLEMANLY HIGHWAYMEN
Are in the habit of assembling quietly at
the usual time and places of the arrival and
departure of wayfaring people to note with
care their comlngs and goings and to find
means of ascertaining with astonishing
accuracy the amount of worldly wealth
they may carry about, with a view to SALLY
ing forth later and relieving them of goods
to which they might be too much attending
for the welfare of their souls.
Mime. CalderOn, wife of former Spanish
Minister in Mexico, tells of a murder in
diplomatic circles, which occurred during
her residence here. The Swiss Consul was
also leather merchant and believed to be
very wealthy. One morning a carriage
drove up to his door and three gentlemen
presented themselves, desiring to speak to
the Consul on private business. He had
lust sent ont his Dorter on sop,a oo,,o,,,;e,
sion, but begged them to walk into his
office-and there entered General in uni-
form, younger officer and a monk.
Scarcely was the door closed when two of
the lntruders seized the Consul, while the
others guarded the entrance, one of them
exclaiming, We have not come to hear
about your goods; we want your money"
The poor man, unarmed and surprised
instantly handed over all the funds in the
house, amounting to little more than $500.
When ready to depart the monk said, We
must kill him or he will inform on u.s."
Oh, nc" said the more humane SOL
diers, " there is no danger; leave him and
come along"
Go ahead and I will follow" replied
the monk, and turning back he stabbed the
Consul to the heart. The three then re-
entered their carriage and drove off at full
speed. A few moments later the porter
returned and found his master bathed in
blood. An alarm was given and neighbors
rushed to his assistance, but the Consul
lived only long enough to fully describe
his assailants. They were captured and
hanged upon trees in front of the house,
together with a real General who had
kindly loaned the sham officers his car
rage and uniform. FANNIE b. WARD.
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